Creative expressions from the tech field

Can you believe that in mid-2009, the millionth word arrived in the English language?  Just how many words does one language need, you may well ask.  But like them or hate them, neologisms (a linguistic term for newly coined words) are all part of the ever-changing phenomenon that is language.

 I  am fascinated when I hear a new word, even if I choose not to add that word to my vocabulary. After all, a person of a certain age using words more suited for a newer generation may appear  as ridiculous as if they were sporting purple spiked hair and tats (tattoos to the uninformed).

Here are some of the new words and expressions that I have come upon recently from the field of technology.  Some have brought a smile to my face; others have given a name to an experience I have had; still others have made me think about changes in our society.

HACK.  I thought hacking and hackers were negative terms.  Aren't hackers often gaining illegal entry into computer systems and causing chaos and mayhem these days (like to Target shoppers?)? Recently though, I have noticed the term "hack" being used as a synonym for a tip or bit of advice, something to make life easier.  Sounds like something pretty positive to me.

    

TIP OF MY THUMB.  Linguists analyze "tip of the tongue" experiences in order to make predictions about how language is stored in the brain.  A little play on words results in  "tip of the thumb" experiences where you almost type something in a text message that you then think better of.  I haven't learned yet to text with my thumbs, but the expression brings a smile to my face.

GAMIFICATION.  My favorite web-based language learning tool is Duolingo.  And it is my favorite because it has been gamified, that is, constructed with some of the elements of a video game. Since video games were not part of my teenage years, I'm having fun playing with language and learning language at the same time.  Duolingo is so much more engrossing than memorizing those old-fashioned verb conjugations!

Duolingo Owl

BIGDATED.  Despite the fact that my son informs me that the concept of big data is widely misunderstood, I still think the invented term "bigdated" is useful for describing a common phenomenon - our interests expressed online being turned into ads by the Internet. How did someone know I was planning a trip to Scotland, I wonder?  Or that I may need to attend to crow's feet around my eyes? Some may find this practice intrusive. I  just consider it part of modern life.

CROWDSOURCING.  I like this term because the Internet has presented a new possibility in life to us.  Crowdsourcing refers to the generation of support and cooperation (including financial) for projects through the Internet.  The concept of strangers helping other strangers appeals to my sense of idealism.  I like the idea of cooperation on a gigantic scale that would not have been possible twenty years ago.

Are there new tech terms that have caught your eye?  Let's discuss! 

Do some words bug you?

If the truth be known, most of us have an internal list of words that we don't want other people to use. When we hear certain words, we get a slightly unpleasant feeling.  And we wouldn't be caught dead using those words ourselves.

I'm not talking about the usual suspects, curse words like the F bomb or racial or gender slurs.  I mean just words that people use in everyday conversations.

Here is my list.  I do really dislike "suck" and its adjective "sucky."  Too much like the F bomb maybe?  I think "crap" is an ugly word.  Putting aside what it refers to literally, I find the very sound of the word unpleasant.  And to describe someone with an uptight personality as "anal" is just a little too graphic for me. I also dislike hearing a woman expecting a child referred to as "preggers."  I have never heard a female use that derivative of "pregnant."  Somehow "preggers" carries a whiff of machismo.    

My list goes on.  The expanded uses of "literally" and "actually" are starting to bug me.  They are ubiquitous. I'm probably fighting a losing battle here.  These two adverbs may be serving as intensifiers used to strengthen expressions. "The salesman was literally falling all over himself to help us."  (He was very anxious to help us.)   "Are you planning to go to the party?  "Well, actually, I bought a new outfit to wear."  (I'm greatly anticipating the party.)

I'm becoming a bit weary of everything from the Grand Canyon to the new green chile cheeseburger in town being described as "awesome."  But I realize we have a great need for superlatives in our language.  I am all for putting a positive spin on life, but a fresh, new adjective would be appreciated.

Another expression that catches my attention is "price point."  Yes, I have probably been watching too many episodes of "House Hunters" on HGTV, but why is "price point" better than "price"?  That million dollar vacation home in the Caribbean is still going to cost the same.          

Whew!  I'm exhausted with all of this complaining about language.  And me a person who fancies herself a linguist, interested in language for language's sake!

But misery loves company.  I would enjoy hearing about words that bother other English speakers. And I hope I haven't used any of your forbidden words in this blog post!